DECEMBER 29TH

December 29th posed a special day for us. Alexa turned 22 months on Dec. 28th and she's been interested in the potty now for a good month. We have her potty in our restroom and we discuss the potty with her and she always watches us closely. She's really interested. About 2 weeks ago she went on the potty for the first time. I'm not going to lie, she is pretty much ready to potty train but I'M NOT. It's hard to tend to that need ALL DAY when I have another child that is fully reliant on me. So I haven't pushed or forced it. We definitely reward her but I haven't done the stay inside all day with nothing on and sit in front of the TV with the potty yet. I am sure I'll have to do that at some point. The lazy part of me wishes she'll just do it herself. Which, she's done. She has taken her diaper off, went on the potty and acted like nothing. ANYWAYS... just to give you an fyi.... Grandpa Hal said if Alexa went poop on the potty she'd get Grandmas car. Grandma has a brand new (only a year old) beautiful, champagne, convertible Jaguar XK8 with shiny rims. So I said.. " DEAL." Well, Alexa pooped on the potty and I haven't heard from him since. LOL

So, later that afternoon I was able to go to the mall (all by myself) and spend a gift card I got for Christmas. I'm standing in a long line for about 25 minutes when my phone rings. It's Chris and he proceeds to tell me that Brielyn rolled over all by herself, un-tucked her arm and everything. I can't believe she did it when I wasn't there. We are inseparable.. I am rarely without her.... and the minute I take out 2 hours and do something for myself she goes and rolls over for Daddy. WHATEVER. No, I was excited and it was even better to hear the excitement on my husbands voice. HE WAS PROUD. It was an ordinary day that turned into a memorable one as our children quickly advance and grow up.

And Papa if you're reading... you owe Alexa.... :)

The Dreaded Christmas... One Day

I shared this story with a friend of mine the other day and thought I'd share it with you too!!!

Christmas as a child was amazing. I had sisters, a mom, dad lots of cousins, aunts and uncles that we shared it with every Christmas Eve. It was a huge ordeal. We exchanged gifts, ate alot of traditional foods (I looked forward to the magic bars, pecan bars and buckeyes) sang christmas songs and hung out. It was always a blast not a dissapointing moment ever. Christmas morning was when I woke up at 4:30 AM shaking as I walked down the hall to make sure that Santa brought me just what I had asked for and to be sure he and the reindeer ate all of the goodies. Santa never disappointed as well.... there was always a thank you note, some left over crumbs and the perfect gift that I had asked for (even if I changed my mind last minute.) PHEWWW.. another good year. I would walk back to bed and lay there shaking out of excitement and anxiety til someone else decided to get up. As we opened gifts I always felt sorry for my parents. What do they get excited about? How could you be so happy about a sweater? or new boxers? or socks? Who would want that for Christmas? I never want to be a parent at Christmas time. They barely get anything to open and sit and watch us open a million presents that they bought and already saw. How sad to not want or get any toys. I DREADED the day Christmas would come and I didn't want toys. I didn't understand. I never would....

Well my friends, the day is here. And I am happy to say that I am so happy to be a parent at Christmas. I understand and can now grasp the feelings of my parents. I don't feel sorry for them anymore. I don't get up at 4:30 shaking, but I did get up last year and look at my beautiful, healthy girl sleeping so soundly. I look forward to watching my children as well as my nieces and nephews open presents and play with one another as me and my sisters/cousins did. I enjoy taking Alexa to see Christmas lights and watch her face light up yet another time when she sees a figurine of Santa or reindeer. I actually came to understand this sooner than I became a parent, it actually happened once I became an aunt. It's indescribable and fullfilling...... Besides watching the kids open gifts, I can't wait to continue to teach my children the true meaning of Christmas and it will only get better as one day I will get to watch my grandchildren do the same.

Family Picture

How did this happen so fast? Well, I won't discuss that... but in the blink of an eye our family grew.... All I know is we get double the hugs and kisses FOREVER. I'm loving the chaos, crying, dirty diapers, laundry, pink and purple, smiles, hugs, slobber and I wouldn't change it for anything!!!

Challenge and Prayer

I'm not here to preach but this has been on my heart. Last week something hit me hard. On Saturday, Dec.8th our neighbor Stevie lost her dad at only 50 years old to a sudden heart attack. He left behind his wife and 4 girls (their youngest is 9). This happened to also be the same day as Stevie's daughter (Zoe) 1st birthday. I can't even imagine. My challenge for you is to not focus this Christmas on WHAT YOU WANT but to focus on WHAT YOU HAVE this holiday season. Please keep this family in your prayers as this holiday season they will celebrate without their father. And that once the holiday season and family is not around that they will find comfort and peace.

Thank you....

Annual Christmas Pic with MIMI

My mom started a tradition of taking a photo with all of her grandchildren. We never let her down, we always add another child into the mix to help fill the picture! Brielyn is the newest and now it's up to us (The Hoff's) to add to the picture. My sisters have declared " WE ARE DONE" Well, we managed to fit them all in and the boys look handsome in their matching shirts (that's odd usually the girls have it together) It was a bit last minute but the picture is GREAT. Enjoy....

YO GABBA GABBA!!!

I don't know about you... but I have a YO GABBA GABBA LOVER in my house. Yes, it's crazy, fun, colorful and they dance and sing their hearts out every morning on Nick at 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM. Alexa requests it every morning and sings all day. It's created a craze,it's their first season and they only have a few shirts and toys out and won't be bringing out any dvds til spring or summer. I think I'll pass on the apparel since I'll have to walk around with Alexa in it :) I'll hold out for the dvd's when they release. We'll watch this controversial show in the comfort of our own home!!! It's funny when I realized she really liked the show I got online trying to find some stuff for Christmas and a whole bunch of blogs and myspace popped up. It's funny to read what people think. They either love it or think it's created by people on drugs. DO YOU LIKE YO GABBA? WATCH AND FIND OUT!!!

COUNTDOWN!

19 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS
26 DAYS TIL NEW YEARS.... and the best one....
1 MONTH TIL MY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

It definitely doesn't seem like a year already, it's flown by. But when I think about the wedding it's so surreal. It seems like it never happened. Thank you Hal and Sue Hoff for a fairy tale wedding (it was perfect) Almost a year ago I married my best friend, my prince, the man that I thought didn't exist. We've had so much excitement and God's blessed us in so many areas of our life from Chris' job, a beautiful new baby girl and good health. We have so much to be thankful for.